SAN MANUEL, Ariz. -- When a copper mine shut down here, threatening the stability of the entire town, local Church leaders swung into action, opening a temporary employment center in the meetinghouse and helping more than 150 people find new jobs.
"This mine closure has had a severe impact on the community," said Robert Ludwig, president of the Tucson Arizona North Stake.The mine and all associated processing equipment has been shut down indefinitely -- affecting 3,600 people directly or indirectly.
Since the mining operations began in 1950 in San Manuel, located 40 miles from Tucson, Ariz., the demand for copper has driven the economy of the community, with employment up and down. On June 24, the mine was closed.
Pres. Ludwig knew that this would not only affect those who had lost jobs, but also others in the community. He worried that many residents of the town, without help, could lose their homes.
So, on July 5, the stake opened a temporary employment center in the San Manuel meetinghouse. The center provides free employment services to anyone in the community, posting job openings in various parts of Southern Arizona. Training in resume writing, job hunting strategies and interview skills are also provided.
A total of 28 Church members were sent to Mesa, Ariz., for an intensive training course to learn how to run the employment agency. Full-time and stake missionaries are also helping out at the center, greeting people and showing them around.
In the days after the center opened, missionaries hand-delivered fliers with information about the service to 5,700 homes in San Manuel and other communities. Dean McCook, president of the Tucson Arizona North Stake Mission, also met with ministers in the community -- offering the Church's employment services to members of their congregations.
Pres. Ludwig noted that while the closure had a devastating impact on the community, members of his stake have used the experience as an opportunity to pull together as a Church family.
"We have rallied around this community by having a stake fast for all those who had been affected. In addition, the auxiliaries of our Tucson wards . . . sent cards and letters to the members of the San Manuel Ward, expressing their love and concern."
He added that the meetinghouse employment center has been a great blessing. "It was well received and contributed to a feeling of good will for all involved. Although the serious impact of this mine closure will be felt for months to come, the Church helped to fill a need at a critical time."
Illustration by John Clark